Bladder Problems Linked with Sexual Activity

A study has shown that women with overactive bladder (urge incontinence) and stress incontinence often have leakage during intercourse. Individuals with urge incontinence experience the need to urinate more than 8 times a day. Leakage can happen almost as soon as the person becomes aware of the need to urinate.

The researchers based their findings on a study that involved 78 women who had been diagnosed with overactive bladder. Most of the participants were married, and the average age was 50. For the study, the women were given 2 questionnaires. One questionnaire assessed various urinary problems. The second questionnaire measured sexual activity.

The results showed that 75% of the women experienced the need to urinate frequently. Of the participants, 65% had overactive bladder and 76% had stress incontinence. The researchers determined that women with overactive bladder had less sex. (The findings were presented during the recent annual meeting of the American Urological Association.)